About
This is Theatre Network
We produce contemporary theatre with an emphasis on Canadian playwrights and stories out of our home, The Roxy Theatre, that we own and operate in Edmonton, Alberta.
Theatre Network is dedicated to producing and facilitating the development of work that is challenging and engaging, unafraid to question our conceptions of the world we live in, and provides an unexpected and exciting experience. Theatre Network tells Canadian stories by Canadian artists. Our continuing commitment is towards risk, especially where it involves content and the energy that is borne from that kind of risk. Not all of our work is controversial, but we have chosen to welcome controversy, rather than fear it.
Theatre Network is a non-profit, charitable organization (CRA registered no. 119214302 RR0001). We operate within the jurisdiction of the Canadian Actors Equity Association (CAEA) and are a member of The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT and the Edmonton Arts Council (EAC).
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada through The Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Edmonton through the Edmonton Arts Council, and the Province of Alberta through The Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
MISSION STATEMENT
“To provide Edmonton audiences with the best in contemporary theatre with an emphasis on Canadian theatre. To foster the development, production of new Canadian writing with an emphasis on Western Canada.”
Vision Statement
“Through its passion to foster excellence in the creation, development and presentation of contemporary live theatre, Theatre Network will be a cultural asset that is valued and supported by the community. Our company’s artistic work and its facility contribute in an essential way to Edmonton’s quality of life”.
Company History
The original objective was to produce plays “about Alberta for Albertans”. From its inception to 1997 Theatre Network fully devoted its resources to the development of Canadian Playwrights and dissemination of new Canadian work.
Theatre Network (1975) Society was founded in 1975 as a co-operative headed by Artistic Director Mark Manson, with Jonathan Barker, Jeurgen Beerwald, Theresa Bryson, Shay Garner, Dennis Robinson, Tanya Ryga, & Gerry Zelinski.
In 1990, Theatre Network found a new home in The Roxy Theatre on 124th Street, a donation by then board member Nancy Power. Theatre Network converted the historic cinema into a live performance space.
In 1997, Theatre Network and The Phoenix Theatre amalgamated into a new Theatre Network. A new direction was taken based upon the unique roles both theatre companies had played in Edmonton’s theatre ecology. Theatre Network now fulfills the dual commitment of the development of writers who create from our own community, as well as producing the most exciting voices from around the world.
Theatre Network founded Nextfest, our emerging artist festival, in 1998 as a space for Edmonton’s young artists to work, hone their craft, be paid, and work alongside their peers. Theatre Network continues to present Nextfest in June of each year as part of our Mainstage Season.
On January 13, 2015 The Roxy Theatre burned down. Theatre Network moved to a temporary venue, styled The Roxy on Gateway later that year, producing work there until the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered its doors in 2020. From 2015 to 2022, Theatre Network took on the challenge of rebuilding our beloved Roxy Theatre. With the support of all three levels of government, and many generous donors, the company broke ground in June 2019. The New Roxy Theatre was designed by Group2 Architecture & Interior Design and built by Chandos Construction, and opens April 14, 2022.